Franz Ferdinand

Here is another high-profile return for this Fall. The Scottish band Franz Ferdinand first rocked the world almost two years ago with singles such as 'Darts of Pleasure' and, especially, their excellent 'Take Me Out,' as well as with a self-titled album that came out last year. They too face now the challenge of matching the quality and the impact of their debut with their sophomore record You Could Have It So Much Better... with Franz Ferdinand, out in October. Its first single, 'Do You Want To?,' will be released next month but is already available for streaming from the band's MySpace website. Upon first listen, it sounds like an incredibly catchy tune, with the characteristic witty lyrics and sassy delivery, but also with crispier, more muscular guitars, and a more polished production. Overall, a lot of fun to sing along and dance to --we wouldn't have expected otherwise.

Sia

Still mesmerized by the highly emotional, rich, overwhelming and ultimately very satisfying conclusion to my favorite TV series Six Feet Under, I cannot get the unforgettable, gutwrenching final sequence or its music out of my head. The arresting, epic piano ballad that soundtracks Claire Fisher's roadtrip and life journey, and which could have easily been written by Tori Amos, is in fact the work of Sia. She is the Australian singer-songwriter with a ghostly voice who provided the vocals to some of the most popular tracks in Zero 7's debut album Simple Things (2001), and who last year published her second solo album, Colour the Small One, so far only available in the US on import. Its highlight 'Breathe Me' is, of course, also found on the Six Feet Under: Everything Ends soundtrack album --which is just about the best thing to get us through the withdrawal from such an amazing and unique show.

New Bloc Party

'Two More Years' is not a political slogan, but the title of Bloc Party's new release. When many around the world are still catching on to their debut album Silent Alarm and beginning to enjoy the remixed version that is just hitting the shops, news surface about this brand-new track to come out as a single in October (in the UK). Although it might be too early to judge a record after just a couple of listens, 'Two More Years' appears to be their most unabashedly commercial song to date while managing to keep most of the energy, tight rhythm, and big hooks of their predecessors --and Kele Okerere's voice is as effective as ever.
It sounds like it could easily become their mainstream breakthrough. Time will tell if it will also mark the beginning of the sell-out backlash against them...

The Arcade Fire

Quite possibly the new band to receive (deservedly) the most hype on both sides of the Atlantic this past year, The Arcade Fire have recently reissued their eponymous debut EP and released a beautiful brand-new new single, included on the new 'Six Feet Under' soundtrack album, titled 'Cold Wind.'
It was nice to hear its sad yet soothing atmospheric quality in the final scene of last night's episode.

Oh, and while we're at it: please nobody call me this Sunday evening between 9 and 10.15pm. I'll be glued to the TV watching the series finale!

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

With that name, they could only be a lot of fun to listen to, and indeed they are. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, this quintet are quickly becoming one of the hottest new bands of the year thanks to their self-released, eponymous debut album full of warm guitars, playful drumming, lush melodies, uplifting vocal harmonies, a refreshing do-it-yourself art-rock attitude, and the wavering, irresistible vocals that bear more than a passing resemblance to David Byrne's, but also to. Needless to say, they are being compared to the Talking Heads, but CYHSY's apparently care-free, contagiously funny spirit also brings to mind other early 80's alt-pop bands such as Violent Femmes or the B-52's.
Check out some of the album highlights available from the band's own website, such as 'Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood' and 'In This Home on Ice,' or my personal favorite 'Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away.'